Door operated device for spraying a room

ABSTRACT

A device for spraying a room in response to the opening or closing of a door comprises a holder for an aerosol can having an upper compartment carrying a pivotal lever which rests on the dispensing button of the aerosol can. A slide is carried in the compartment above the lever and it is arranged to project so as to be operated either upon the closing or the opening of a door. The housing for the aerosol can is adapted to be mounted on the door in a position at which operation of the aerosol spray will be effected by either the opening or the closing of the door in which the slide moves over the lever to cause it to move downwardly to operate the dispensing button for effecting the spray.

United States Patent [191 Chimer et a1.

[ DOOR OPERATED DEVICE FOR SPRAYING A ROOM [75] Inventors: Francois JeanChimer; Georges Richer, both of Nice, France [73] Assignee: S.A.PrestHygia,Principaute,

Monaco [22] Filed: July 16, 1971 [2]] Appl. No.: 163,255

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 19, 1973 3,595,444 7/1971Chimer 222/180 3,662,958 7/1970 German 239/274 FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 457,309 7/1968 Switzerland 1, 239/274 467,636 3/1967Switzerland 239/274 Primary Examiner-Allen N. Knowles Attorney-John .1.McGlew and Alfred E. Page [57] ABSTRACT A device for spraying a room inresponse to the opening or closing of a door comprises a holder for anaerosol can having an upper compartment carrying a pivotal lever whichrests on the dispensing button of the aerosol can. A slide is carried inthe compartment above the lever and it is arranged to project so as tobe operated either upon the closing or the opening of a door. Thehousing for the aerosol. can is adapted to be mounted on the door in aposition at which operation of the aerosol spray will be effected byeither the opening or the closing of the door in which the slide movesover the lever to cause it to move downwardly to operate the dispensingbutton for effecting the spray.

11 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures PATENTED JUN! 9575 PATENIEB J11!" 9373sum-nor? PATiNIED- '3'.739.949

sun I 7 DOOR OPERATED DEVICE FOR SPRAYING A ROOM BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION to dispense a jet of spray while when the door is opened thereis no spraying effect. Devices of this kind have the disadvantage ofrequiring a precise adjustment in height between what is fixed to thedoor frame and what is fixed to the bracket containing the spraydispenser. Such devices must be installed with complicated interfittedoperational parts so that the cost is rather high. In addition, theaction of the weight of the door on its hinges often causes a slightgradual lowering of the level of the upper edge of the supportingbracket and the least modification of this level may disturb the initialadjustment and interfere with the functioning of the aerosol spray can.Lastly,the attachment of such devices to the door frame spoils itsappearance and construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention thereis provided a device which includes a mounting housing for an aerosolspray can which may be simply and easily attached in position foroperation thereon by the opening or closing ofa door. The housing issuch that the installation does not require precise adjustment but maybe effected instantly and simply. The holder for the spray dispensingcontainer includes a housing located directly over a centering recessfor the aerosol dispensing button which pivotally supports an actuatinglever for the button and a slideway which moves upon the opening or theclosing of the door to deflect the lever to cause a dispensing of aspray of the liquid from the container. The slide is arranged so that itwill be actuated when it strikes against the door frame or a portionadjacent the wall of the door which is operated.

Accordingly it is an object of the invention to provide an improveddevice for automatically spraying a room in response to the opening orclosing of a door.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device for actuatingan aerosol spray container which includes a housing mounting thecontainer in a position directly below a pivotal lever and which carriesa slide member which moves backwardly and forwardly to actuate the leverand which is positionedfor operation either upon opening or closing of adoor.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device for effectingthe automatic spraying of a room in response to the opening or closingof a door which is simple in design, rugged in construction andeconomical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses,reference should be had to the accompanying drawing and descriptivematter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view indicating a door actuated devicefor mounting an aerosol spray container constructed in accordance withthe invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of slide for actuatingthe lever operating mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of another embodiment of slide;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of a spray operating device installedon a door for operation when the door is closed;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 with the parts shown in the closedcondition after operation;

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are views similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 in a constructionin which the upper edge of the door overlaps the door frame;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are views similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 showing an embodimentof the invention in which the operation occurs when the door is open;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a holder for a sprayoperating device;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view indicating the installation of the holderfor the device;

FIG. 12 is a partial sectional view of still another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 13 is top plan view of the device shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a partial sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 12 in aclosed operated position;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the invention withthe device mounted on a hinge pin;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the device shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16 but with the device shown in anopened position.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to thedrawings in particular the invention embodied therein in FIGS. 1 to 7comprises a device for holding an aerosol spray container in associationwith a door so that it may be operated either upon the opening or theclosing of the door. The device includes a holder or housing S having alower portion with a semi-cylindrical recess 1a which continuesdownwardly as a post portion lb ending in a supporting shoulder 2 at thelower end. An aerosol container or bomb B is adapted to be placed on theshoulder 2 and held within a desired operational position by a securingstrap or collar 3 having one end with an opening 5a which is adapted tobe secured in by a bolt threaded into a receiving recess 5 in aprojecting side of the housing. The opposite end is provided with anengagement hook 3a which engages into a recess 4 having a plurality oflocking projections behind which the hook portion 3a is engaged. Thebomb B is positioned so an upper portion thereof is centered within asemi-cylindrical notch 7 in the top wall 8 of the housing S. The outerface of the housing S is advantageously mad-e with a flat portion whichcan apply flatly against the door P and be affixed there by screwsextending through holes 9a and 9b or by gluing or other securing means.

The operating mechanism for the aerosol container B includes anoperating lever or finger D having a pivot journal 3 extending outwardlytherefrom which is journalled in an opening of a sidewall of an uppercompartment portion T. The rear end of the lever D carries a stud 13extending outwardly from each side for its articulation at the holderand the front carries an adjusting screw 15 which is adapted to rest onthe push button of the aerosol container B. For operational purposes theupper surface of the lever D is provided with a protuberance forming acam surface I.

The upper compartment or holder T includes side walls l0, l and an upperwall 11. Ribs 12, 12 extend outwardly from each interior side adjacentthe top thereof and form a slide for accommodating a slide member f. Theslide f is constructed with a cutaway portion accommodating an eccentricroller m which is journalled therein and which is adapted to engage overthe cam surface I during operation. The pivot journals 13 of the lever Dfit into the notches 14 formed in the housing below the slideprojections 12. These notches 14 are closed at their rear end either bythe door upon which the device is mounted or by a metal mounting plate.

The device may be operated with either the slide C1 or the slide C2shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 respectively. As

shown in FIG. 4 when the slide C1 is employed the operation of thedevice occurs when the door P is closed within the door frame H. Theeccentric roller m is supported on a forked shaped end f and isprevented from oscillating in the direction which it would receive whenthe door closes, while it is free to oscillate in the direction of theopening of the door in order that this will be without effect on thepush button of the bomb.

The slide Cl is brought back into its free position as shown in FIG. 4by a spring R which is made of a stiff wire having one end blocked onthe wall of the bridge T by a nut 20 which is screwed on a pin 16, whichis threaded into a hole 17 of this wall. Its other bent end enters,after passage through a circular slot 18 in the wall, at the location 19into a transverse hole of the slide Cl.

For doors opening into the room the slide has the form of the slide C1shown in FIG. 2. In FIGS. 4 and 5 it is seen that the closing of thedoor by pushing in the direction of the arrow F causes the operation.When the door is open as shown in FIG. 4, the slide is held by thespring in a position in which it projects above the inner face of thedoor which will be flush when it is closed within the jamb H. The slideCl is displaced in its slideway by the end c striking against the doorframe H. This causes the roller m to engage the cam surface I of thefinger D just prior to complete closing of the door, and it leaves thissurface just before the complete closing as shown in FIG. 5. The bombthus acts for only a short jet spray time and only in the direction ofclosing. Adjustment of the screw permits adjusting of the intensity ofthe jet spray. This system is therefore both efficient and economical.

If the door which opens inwardly as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, overlaps thedoor frame as shown, the slide will have the same form and will functionin the same manner as before in respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and5.

When the construction is such that the door will open out of the room, aslide such as C3 as shown in FIG. 3

will be provided putting the operation shown in detail in FIGS. 8 and 9.The slide C3 includes an upper portion with a stop member 21 which whenthe door is pulled in the direction of the arrow Fa to close it, strikesagainst the rabbet 22 of the doorcase to move in a direction toward thedoor upon which it is mounted rather than in the opposite direction asin the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5. The operation of the roller m withthe cam surface 11 is the same as in the other embodiment.

As indicated in FIGS. 10 and 11 there is shown a preferred mountingdevice for the dispensing of a liquid spray which includes a metal plate23 having openings 9a and 9b corresponding to those of the holder, shownin FIG. 1, and which is affixed by screws or rivets to the back of theholder. The plate 23 is wider than the bridge T and it extends above thetop of the ribs 12 leaving the slide passage free. The plate 23 carriesa horizontal slot 24 at its upper end to accommodate a holding plate 25which has an outer end 25a which extends downwardly beyond the door P.The assembly of the plates 23 and 25 forms a hook which is hooked overthe top of the door P. In order to permit the adaptation of the deviceto doors of different thicknesses the spacing between the plate 23 andthe hook portion 25a is adjustable due to the interengagement of armportions 26,26 having teeth 27 forming notches therebetween which permitengagement with tooth elements 28, 28 arranged at respective oppositeends of the slot 24. FIG. 11 shows the installation of the assembly on adoor which opens inwardly. The plate 25 is made relatively thin and itdoes not hinder the closing of the door because there is always someclearance between the top of the door and the sash frame. In the casewhere a door opens outwardly as shown in FIG. 8 and 9, the devicedescribed in FlGS.10 and 11 may be applied by positioning the plate 25in an inverted manner with the back wall 25a applied against the face ofthe door when arranged as shown in FIG. 8. The toothed arms 26 whichproject outwardly from the room blocked, for example, by clips whichextend through the notches and bear against the outer face of the door.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 to 14 there is provided a holdingdevice for actuating the aerosol container B which includes acylindrical wall 41 which engages around a top shoulder b of thecontainer and which includes an intermediate partition wall or diaphragm42 having an opening through its center 40 to accommodate the pushbutton 6 of the container B. The cylinder 41 is open at both ends and itis shaped at its lower edge as a peripheral engaging hook which hooksover the flange b of the container B. A tab 44 is formed, for example,as an extension of the partition wall 42 which forms an actuating leverfor the push button 6.

The upper portion of the cylinder 41 is provided with through openings45 to accommodate the arms 26 of a formed mounting bracket 25 which isadapted to be engaged on the top of a door. The cylinder 41 also has twoopenings 46 arranged diametrically opposite to accommodate a slider C,which is formed as a rod-like member with a support for theeccentrically operable roller m. The roller m engages the lever 44 topress it into engagement with the operating button 6 as in the otherembodiment. A spring 33 is coiled around the rod-like slide c and hasone end abutting against a collar portion 33a and an opposite end biasedagainst the interior of the cylinder 41 to urge the slide 0' toward theright as shown in FIG. 12.

A device similar to that shown in FIGS. 12 to 14 may be mounted on ahinge of a door as shown in FIGS. 15 to 17. In such an arrangement thetwo plates 23 and.25 are replaced by a single plate 31 as shown in FIG.15. The plate 31 is fixed to the holes 9a and 9b in the holder butarranged crosswise to provide a prolongation on each side forming ahinge for turning at 31a which encompasses the hinge pin 32. This hingeis fixed to the door on which it replaces the usual hinge. The slide C3is a simple rod which passes through the cylinder 1' which forms thehousing holding the container B. The return spring 33 located betweenthe interior wall of the cylinder 1 and a shoulder 34 of the rod-likemember C3 urges the rod to an engagement with the door. If the dooropens inwardly the slide C3 is oriented to interengage the door frame inthe same manner as the slides C1 and C2 in the other embodiments. FIGS.16 and 17 show the manner in which the rod member C3 engages backagainst the door jamb H when the door is opened as shown in FIG.17. Whenthe rod-like member C3 strikes against the door frame H the roller mengages the finger D or the operating tab 44 (as the case may be) tocause actuation of the push button 6 of the container B. The returnspring 33 then brings the slider C3 back to its inoperative position.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the principles ofthe invention, it will beunderstood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A door operated device for automatically operating an aerosol spraycontainer with a movable operating spray button which is displaceable topermit the 'dispensing of a liquid spray from said container, comprisinghousing means for holding a spray dispensing con tainer in aposition forassociation with an openable and closable door, a slider mounted on saidhousing, spring means urging said slider in a direction to position aportion thereof for engagement during the movement of the door, saidslider being movable by the movement of the door in a direction oppositeto the biasing of said spring, and lever member carried by said housingmeans at a location overlying the operating spray button and having aportion disposed in the path of movement of said slider and beingdeflectable by said slider to move the operating button to dispense theliquid spray; spring means for urging said slider in a direction toposition a portionthereof for engagement during movement of the door,said slider being movable backwardly by said spring means to releasesaid lever member; said spring means comprises a wire member, saidhousing including a bridge having a slot defined therein, said wiremember being secured at its one end and extending through said slot ofsaid bridge member into engagement with said slider.

2. A door operated device for automatically operat ing an aerosol spraycontainer with a movable operating spray button which is displaceable topermit the dispensing of a liquid spray from said container, comprisinghousing means for holding a spray dispensing container in a position forassociation with an openable and closable door, a slider mounted on saidhousing,

spring means urging said slider in a direction to position a portionthereof for engagement during the movement of the door, said sliderbeing movable by the movement of the door in a direction opposite to thebiasing of said spring, and a lever member carried by said housing meansat a location overlying the operating spray button and having a portiondisposed. inthe path of movement of said slider and being deflectable bysaid slider to move the operating button to dispense the liquid spray;said housing means includes a bridge overlying the actuating button andformed by two spaced parallel walls, said walls having inwardlyextending ribs forming a slideway on which said slider is movable.

3. A door operated device according to claim 2, wherein said sliderincludes an outwardly projecting stop portion extending in a directionof the door jamb.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said stop portion extends in adirection upwardly from the top of the door in a position to engage inthe door jamb to move in a direction against said biasing means towardssaid door when said door is closed.

5. A device according to claim 2, including means for mounting saidhousing means on a door. I

6. A device according to claim 2, including means for mounting saidhousing means on a door hinge including a plate member having a curvedportion forming a hinge engageable over a hinge pin and being pivotal inrespect thereto, said housing means being held by said hinge member.

7. A door operated device for automatically operating an aerosol spraycontainer with a movable operating spray button which is displaceable topermit the dispensing of a liquid spray from said container, comprisinghousing means for holding a spray dispensing container in a position forassociation with an openable and closable door, a slider mounted on saidhousing, spring means urging said slider in a direction to position aportion thereof for engagement during the movement of the door, saidslider being movable by the movement of the door in a direction oppositeto the biasing of said spring, and a lever member carried by saidhousing means at a location overlying the operating spray button andhaving a portion disposed in the path of movement of said slider andbeing deflectable by said slider to move the operating button todispense the liquid spray; means for mounting said housing means on adoor; said mounting means comprises a flat plate adapted to be securedto saidhouising means and being engageable over a face of the door, saidplate having a slot extending therethrough and a hook plate engageableover the top of said door and being hookable thereto, and having anopposite end engageable through the slot of said flat plate, and lockingmeans locking said hook plate to said flat plate.

8. A door operated .device for automatically operat ing an aerosolcontainer with a movable operating spray button which is displaceable topermit the dispensing of a liquid spray from said container, comprisinghousing means for holding a :spray dispensing container in a positionfor association with an openable and closable door, a slider mounted onsaid housing, spring means urging said slider in a direction to positiona portion thereof for engagement during the movement of the door, saidslider being movable by the movement of the door in a direction oppositeto the biasing of said spring, and a lever member carried by saidhousing means at a location overlying the operating spray butber.

10. A device according to claim 8, wherein said cylindrical housing hasan opening at each diametric side forming a slide support for saidslider.

11. A device according to claim 10, including means mounting saidhousing means on a door comprising a plate which is adapted 'to behooked over the door and has an opposite end with two leg portions whichare spaced apart, said housing means comprising an opening in each sideof said cylinder into which said leg portions of said hook memberextend.

1. A door operated device for automatically operating an aerosol spraycontainer with a movable operating spray button which is displaceable topermit the dispensing of a liquid spray from said container, comprisinghousing means for holding a spray dispensing container in a position forassociation with an openable and closable door, a slider mounted on saidhousing, spring means urging said slider in a direction to position aportion thereof for engagement during the movement of the door, saidslider being movable by the movement of the door in a direction oppositeto the biasing of said spring, and lever member carried by said housingmeans at a location overlying the operating spray button and having aportion disposed in the path of movement of said slider and beingdeflectable by said slider to move the operating button to dispense theliquid spray; spring means for urging said slider in a direction toposition a portion thereof for engagement during movement of the door,said slider being movable backwardly by said spring means to releasesaid lever member; said spring means comprises a wire member, saidhousing including a bridge having a slot defined therein, said wiremember being secured at its one end and extending through said slot ofsaid bridge member into engagement with said slider.
 2. A door operateddevice for automatically operating an aerosol spray container with amovable operating spray button which is displaceable to permit thedispensing of a liquid spray from said container, comprising housingmeans for holding a spray dispensing container in a position forassociation with an openable and closable door, a slider mounted on saidhousing, spring means urging said slider in a direction to position aportion thereof for engagement during the movement of the door, saidslider being movable by the movement of the door in a direction oppositeto the biasing of said spring, and a lever member carried by saidhousing means at a location overlying the operating spray button andhaving a portion disposed in the path of movement of said slider andbeing deflectable by said slider to move the operating button todispense the liquid spray; said housing means includes a bridgeoverlying the actuating button and formed by two spaced parallel walls,said walls having inwardly extending ribs forming a slideway on whichsaid slider is movable.
 3. A door operated device according to claim 2,wherein said slider includes an outwardly projecting stop portionextending in a direction of the door jamb.
 4. A device according toclaim 3, wherein said stop portion extends in a direction upwardly fromthe top of the door in a position to engage in the door jamb to move ina direction against said biasing means towards said door when said dooris closed.
 5. A device according to claim 2, including means formounting said housing means on a door.
 6. A device according to claim 2,including means for mounting said housing means on a door hingeincluding a plate member having a curved portion forming a hingeengageable over a hinge pin and being pivotal in respect thereto, saidhousing means being held by said hinge member.
 7. A door operated devicefor automatically operating an aerosol spray container with a movableoperating spray button which Is displaceable to permit the dispensing ofa liquid spray from said container, comprising housing means for holdinga spray dispensing container in a position for association with anopenable and closable door, a slider mounted on said housing, springmeans urging said slider in a direction to position a portion thereoffor engagement during the movement of the door, said slider beingmovable by the movement of the door in a direction opposite to thebiasing of said spring, and a lever member carried by said housing meansat a location overlying the operating spray button and having a portiondisposed in the path of movement of said slider and being deflectable bysaid slider to move the operating button to dispense the liquid spray;means for mounting said housing means on a door; said mounting meanscomprises a flat plate adapted to be secured to said housing means andbeing engageable over a face of the door, said plate having a slotextending therethrough and a hook plate engageable over the top of saiddoor and being hookable thereto, and having an opposite end engageablethrough the slot of said flat plate, and locking means locking said hookplate to said flat plate.
 8. A door operated device for automaticallyoperating an aerosol container with a movable operating spray buttonwhich is displaceable to permit the dispensing of a liquid spray fromsaid container, comprising housing means for holding a spray dispensingcontainer in a position for association with an openable and closabledoor, a slider mounted on said housing, spring means urging said sliderin a direction to position a portion thereof for engagement during themovement of the door, said slider being movable by the movement of thedoor in a direction opposite to the biasing of said spring, and a levermember carried by said housing means at a location overlying theoperating spray button and having a portion disposed in the path ofmovement of said slider and being deflectable by said slider to move theoperating button to dispense the liquid spray; said housing meanscomprises a cylincrical member of plastic material having an opening ateach end with one end being engageable over the top of the container andincluding an intermediate wall therethrough having an opening throughwhich the push button of the container extends.
 9. A device according toclaim 8, including a tab portion of said intermediate wall forming saidlever member.
 10. A device according to claim 8, wherein saidcylindrical housing has an opening at each diametric side forming aslide support for said slider.
 11. A device according to claim 10,including means mounting said housing means on a door comprising a platewhich is adapted to be hooked over the door and has an opposite end withtwo leg portions which are spaced apart, said housing means comprisingan opening in each side of said cylinder into which said leg portions ofsaid hook member extend.